SCPA’s Rott signs on with Auburn

Stillwater resident and St. Croix Preparatory Academy senior Mary Jane Rott has accepted a scholarship offer to continue her gymnastics career at Auburn University.

St. Croix Preparatory Academy senior Mary Jane Rott has signed a national letter of intent to join the Auburn Tigers gymnastics program in the SEC. A club gymnast for Rising Stars Gymnastics Academy in Oakdale under the direction of Pavel and Elena Miligoulo, Rott has been a Level 10 gymnast since she was a seventh-grader and has posted a top all-around score of 38.55.

A five-time Junior Olympic National qualifier, Rott will join a program that drew an average of 4,520 fans for home meets a year ago. At nationals a year ago, Rott finished seventh in the vault and 12th on beam and in the all-around. She placed third at nationals in the beam two years ago.

“Mary Jane is a tremendous all-around gymnast, but I think her power and her fun-loving personality shows through in her floor routine,” Auburn coach Jeff Graba said. “Her flair on the floor really gives you a glimpse inside this dynamo of a gymnast.”

Rott received plenty of recruiting attention, with 20 Division I schools showing interest — including three from the SEC and one from the Big Ten.

Graba was pleased to receive a commitment from Rott and the team’s other recruit in this year’s class Kullen Hlawek of Texas.

“The 2013 class is one of the most powerful and dynamic classes we have signed here at Auburn,” the coach said. “Both Mary Jane Rott and Kullen Hlawek come from tremendously successful club programs and are very accomplished on the national stage. We expect both of them to contribute to our team immediately next season and we believe both of them will be immediate crowd favorites for the Auburn family.”

Mary Jane Rott

College attending — Auburn University

Sport — Gymnastics

Why Auburn? — The school has a great atmosphere for learning and tradition.

Most memorable athletic experience — The most fun athletic experience would arguably be the Texas Prime Invite in Irving, Texas. I made it to the final round of competition and former Olympians were the team captains. It was exhilarating, the atmosphere was like one of a college meet. I also got a 9.925 on floor and another 9.925 on vault (my two best events.

The most memorable experience would be standing at the third place podium spot at the 2011 Junior Olympic Nationals for beam. I was proud of myself and thankful to my coaches for helping me get there.